shoota
06-30-2005, 05:40 PM
After watching another dominating pitching performance by a Sox pitcher, I want to draw attention to the work of Don Cooper.
Let's break it down: We have two starters, Mark Buehrle and Jon Garland, who are both being considered as the AL starting pitcher in the All-Star game! We have a third starting pitcher, Freddy Garcia, who is posting All-Star numbers, but is likely to be left off the team only because a team can only send so many representatives.
Jose Contreras does not own a sparkling won/loss record like the rest of the staff, but that is more because he has received the least amount of run support of all the Sox starting pitchers. Though his record doesn't show it, he has pitched very well, as he is among the league leaders in opponent batting average against. Early in the year, Contreras threw many pitches and wasn't efficient with his pitch count. I credit Don Cooper for fixing this problem, allowing him to work deeper into games. Don also must have worked on correcting Contreras's problem of tipping his pitches.
Don's work is also imprinted on the bullpen. His work has improved near lost causes Shingo and Vizcaino, as last night's important performaces indicate. Politte is even better than last year, which is saying a lot, and Hermanson has been near flawless. And turning Cotts into not only a serviceable lefty reliever, but a dominant one seemed impossible just last season.
His hands are tied with Marte, who is hurt, and now I understand why Cooper hasn't gotten Marte to pitch like the Marte of past. If Coop can get him back to dominance for the playoffs, LOOK THE HELL OUT! This staff 1-11 could roll through the Series.
Don Cooper is one of the best pitching coaches in the game. I raise up this toast for you, Don Cooper. :gulp:
Let's break it down: We have two starters, Mark Buehrle and Jon Garland, who are both being considered as the AL starting pitcher in the All-Star game! We have a third starting pitcher, Freddy Garcia, who is posting All-Star numbers, but is likely to be left off the team only because a team can only send so many representatives.
Jose Contreras does not own a sparkling won/loss record like the rest of the staff, but that is more because he has received the least amount of run support of all the Sox starting pitchers. Though his record doesn't show it, he has pitched very well, as he is among the league leaders in opponent batting average against. Early in the year, Contreras threw many pitches and wasn't efficient with his pitch count. I credit Don Cooper for fixing this problem, allowing him to work deeper into games. Don also must have worked on correcting Contreras's problem of tipping his pitches.
Don's work is also imprinted on the bullpen. His work has improved near lost causes Shingo and Vizcaino, as last night's important performaces indicate. Politte is even better than last year, which is saying a lot, and Hermanson has been near flawless. And turning Cotts into not only a serviceable lefty reliever, but a dominant one seemed impossible just last season.
His hands are tied with Marte, who is hurt, and now I understand why Cooper hasn't gotten Marte to pitch like the Marte of past. If Coop can get him back to dominance for the playoffs, LOOK THE HELL OUT! This staff 1-11 could roll through the Series.
Don Cooper is one of the best pitching coaches in the game. I raise up this toast for you, Don Cooper. :gulp: